Collecting Imari Porcelain

Japanese Imari ware is the term given to porcelain that was first made in the 17th century at Arita on the island of Kyushu in the south of Japan.

It was shipped from the nearby port of Imari to Nagasaki for export by the Dutch East India Company, leading to the name becoming a term synonymous with Japanese porcelain in general.

Made in the same kilns, the wares produced in Arita included porcelain painted in under-glaze blue, commonly known now as Arita, and two coloured enamel wares: Kakiemon, with two tones of turquoise, yellow and red, outlined in black and Imari, the larger group, using three colours under-glaze blue, red and gilding.

High quality early Imari ware has additional colours including black, green, yellow and aubergine. The color palettes used for the enamels were highly influential on European ceramics from the 18th century on wards.

IMARI FILLS THE CAP

Although the production of earthenware in Japan goes back many centuries, Japanese porcelain as we know it today originated in the 17th century after the cult of the tea ceremony spread from China.

Imari was extremely distinctive and popular in Europe as an alternative to the plain blue and white Chinese exports but, when Japan suspended trade with the outside world in around 1740, the Chinese copied many Imari patterns themselves and exported them to fill the gap century designs that are particularly popular, as they are highly decorative and appeal to a wide range of collectors.

There is plenty of Imari available to collectors with prices varying considerably.

Collecting Imari Porcelain

Depending on quality, a late-19th century deep dish, around 15 inches diameter; will cost around £900- £ 1,200. Wool ley & Wallis sold two square I I inch dishes for £600 last May and Bonhams & Brooks successfully sold an oviform vase and domed cover £320 in September Commercial kilns were used by artisans and small family run businesses for early production of Japanese Imari between 1700 and 1730.

Factories were then introduced during the Meiji period to cope with the demand. Among the finest production in the late 19th and early 20th century was made by Fukugawa.

Available in a wide variety of designs and colours, it combined traditional Japanese designs with Western-style elements. Last May Woolley & Wallis sold a pair of 19th century vases made by the Fukugawa factory for £1200

BUY THE BEST

Collecting Imari Porcelain

While Imari ware is easily obtainable through antique dealers, auctions and fairs, its quality can vary considerably and collectors should look for the best that they can afford. During the late-19th and early-20th centuries crude copies of designs from the 17th and 18th century were reproduced by Japanese factories and may be found at car boot sales.

Chipped and cracked pieces should be avoided but also check for poor line drawing, printed blue outlines, poorly executed enamels and degradation of the surface, where the enamel may be worn. Some early-20th century enamels may also be prone to flaking.

MANY MARKS

There is no formal marking on Japanese porcelain and generally Japanese Imari has many different marks.These are often copied from the Chinese.

Collecting Imari Porcelain

Chinese Imari dates from around 1700-1710 until mid-18th century. An early-18th century Chinese Imari tankard that sold for £200 at Woolley & Wallis and was typical of its type, although
sometimes it is likely to have more gilding within the design. One of the differences between Japanese and Chinese Imari is that the Japanese has three small spurs on the base.

European copies of Imari were made in the 18th century by Meissen, Vienna, various Italian factories, Chelsea, Bow and Derby. During the 19th century Derby became Royal Crown Derby and continued to make copies, as did Davenport and other Staffordshire potteries.

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